ATLANTA — Researchers at Georgia State University are beginning a five-year study looking at ways to reduce suicide risk among people who drink heavily.
The study will test two techniques, talk therapy and breathing exercises that researchers hope participants could use while drinking.
“The idea is this could be a simple set of skills they can use in the moment while drinking,” GSU professor Amanda Gilmore said.
Gilmore says suicide rates have increased 33% over the past 20 years and that a majority of suicide attempts and deaths involve alcohol.
“There are evidence based tools to prevent suicide, there’s evidence based tools to prevent alcohol, but right now we have no tools to prevent suicide while drinking,” Gilmore said.
Researchers plan to recruit 240 people in Atlanta to participate in the study over five years.
“Most studies look at alcohol and suicide separately, and our study is focused on preventing suicide and alcohol at the same time,” Gilmore said.
The research is being funded through a $3.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Sabrina Cupit contributed to this story.